Waste chute



F. O. GRAPP WASTE CHUTE Jul'y 2, 1929.

Filed Jan. 26, 192'? gnmnoi FL ova 0 GRAPP Patented July 2, 1929.

FLOYD 0. GRAPP, F MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

WASTE CHUTE.

Application filed January. 26, 1927.

This invention relates to waste chutes, for use particularly in the kitchens of homes 'where dirt, paper and other rubbish are apt to accummulate, and the primaryobject is to provide a comparatively simple, easily operated and practical `device forsuch purposes. A further object is to provide, in connection with the chute proper, a trap door and a frame therefor, which are constructed in a particularly novel manner. A further object is to providemeans, of an extremely simple and economical construction, for imparting a yielding resistance to the material in the chute, whereby an accumulation of such material will prevent an updraft through the chute.. Still further and more specific objects will be disclosed 1n the course of the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein: h

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device, as installed, various parts being broken away for purpose of illustration.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the upper portion of the device, showing the trap door in an open position.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged top or plan 'view of the device, a portion of the cover .being broken out.

Fig. 4 is a detail section, 4 4 in Fig. 3. ,i y

Referring to the drawing more particularly and by reference characters A designates theiioor, of a kitchen or other roomfor hall, in which the device is to be installed, it being understood that such room is directly over a basement into which the chute will extend, and in which basement there will be placed a suitable receptacle vto receive the waste material from the chute.

The device consists primarily-- of fou parts, the chute B, a retainer C, afframe D, and a door E. I

The frame D has four rectangularly arranged, vertical flanges 5,'6, 7, and 8, the

first three `of which are provided with marginal horizontal flanges-9, 10 and 11, the top faces of which are higher than the top edge of the flange 8, but whose outer edges are rounded off so as to form a smoother joint with the floor A. The vertical flanges 5 and 7 are provided with a pair of opposite, inwardly disposed studs 12. The parts 5 to 12, inclusive, are preferably all cast into one integral piece, thus greatly simplifying and cheapening the lcost of production. The

as on the line Serial N'o. 163,697.

door E is a flat cast plate, having a pair of end flanges 13 which continue in notched ears 13 for bearing engagement `with the studs 12. It will be noted that no rivets, screws or bolts are required to secure the door. It merely laid in place while held horizontally, and'may similarly be lifted off, but cannot be removed from the studs 12, when tilted, because it would first stop against the-rear part of the frame. It will yalso be noted that the door need not be provided with any handles or grips, for opening it, and that it is perfectly iiush with the frame D, thereby giving it a finishedeffeet and eliminating any projections for catching dirt or being stumbled over. 1Furthermore, the housewife, or other operator, does not need to stoop down to open the door with her hands. The door is so constructed .and arranged that by slightly depressing its rear edge portion (see dotted lines in Fig. 4) with one foot, the toe or sole of the other foot may be engaged under the. front edge,

after which the door can be tripped to the open position, as shown in Fig. 2. A slight counter or reverse .movement will vcause the door to drop back into its initial position. It may here be noted that, as the flange 8 has no horizontal or upper flange, when the door is lifted up there is nothing at the .front end ofthe frame, to project above the floor level and thus hinder dirt from being swept into the chute, and still itis unnecessary to groove out or rabbet the fioor,

about the main hole, to receive any part of the frame. Of course, if the floor is laid `with linoleum or similar covering, it would no doubt be advisable, at least in some instances, to provide such covering with a larger rectangular opening to receive flanges 9, 10, 11, and thereby leave the top of the door and frame substantially flush with the Hoor covering.

The chute B, proper, is rectangular in cross section, is preferably madev of sheet metal, and is secured, at its upper end, to the flanges 5-6-7-8, by any suitable means such as rivets 14. The length of the chute is determined. by the depth of the basement, the height of the receiving receptacle, and the desires of the purchaser.

.ln chutes of this character, one of the difliculties sometimes experienced is that when the door is opened there is an updraft of air which is occasionally strong enough to carry a certain amount of dust back into 'the room. Spring held bailles or yielding doors, lower in the chute, will overcome this difficulty, but such devices` are apt to become out of order, and obviously add considerable to the cost of manufacture, and would increase the sales cost, with a corresponding decrease in the number of sales to householders of moderate means.

To provide simple and economical means for preventing updraft, l have devised the member C, which consists of a pair of integrally or continuously formed spring acting tines or prongs l5, the joined ends of which are rigidly secured upon the inside of the chute B, as by a bolt or rivet 16. ihese prongs ext-end angularly across the passage of the chute, as shown in Figs. i and 3, and by so doing affect a yieldabl'e obstruction for the paper and other rubbish thrown or swept into the chute. Thus, the column of rubbish above the prongs will obstruct the upthJa-ft, and when the upper part of the chute is well filled, it is a si mple mattei' to push the column down, as far as necessary, to leave space for ad" itional rubbish, it being understood that the prongs will yield sufficiently to permit such lowering of the rubbish column.

lt is understood that suitable modifications may be madein the general design and structuraldetails of the invcuition as herein shown and described provided, however, that said modifications. come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Having now therefore fully shown and described my invention, what I claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patont is:

l. In a device of the character described, a rectangular frame adapted to be arranged in a floor opening and having` horizontal flanges at its sides and rear for resting on the floor about three sides of the opening, the fourth side of the frame being not higlwr than the floor surface, a cover pivotally carried in the frame, near the rear thereof, and adapted, when closed, to extend over said fourth side `of the frame, and a chute extending downwardly from the frame.

2. In a device of the character described, a rectangular frame adapted to be arranged in a floor opening and having liorizontal flanges atits sides and rear for resting on the floor about three sides of the opening, the fourth side of the frame being not higher than the floor surface, a coverV pivotally carried in the frame, near the rear thereof, and adapted, when closed, to extend over said fourth side of the frame, and a chute extending downwardly from the frame, said cover being inset in the frame so as to be flush with said horizontal flanges.

3. In a device of the character described, a rectangular frame adapted to be arranged in a floor opening and having horizontal flanges at its sides and rear for resting on the floor about three-sides of the opening, the fourth side of the frame being not higher than the floor surface, a cover pivotally ried in the fra-me, near the rear thereof, and adapted, when closed to extend over said fourth side of the frame, and a chute extending downwardly from the frame, said cover being so mounted that pressure upon its rear end will cause the front edge to` raise, whereby the operator may open the cover 'with her feet and without stooping.

4. A waste chute comprising a rectangular frame adapted to be secured in a rectangular floor opening` and havingfront and rear flanges for supportupon the floor, a pair of opposed studs carried by the frame, a door pivotallycarried by the studs, and arranged, when closed, to overlap the front part of the frame, and a chute associated with the frame.

A. waste chute comprisinga rectangular frame adapted to be secured in a rectangular floor opening and having front and rear flanges for support upon. the floor, a pairof opposed studs carried bythe frame, a door pivotally carried by thestuds, and arranged,

when closed', to overlap the front' part of the frame, and a chute associated with the frame, said door having lateral Ytianges for releasable engagement with said studs.

(i. A waste chute comprising a rectangular frame adapted to be secured in a rectangular floor opening yand having front and rear flanges for support upon the floor, a pair of opposed studs carried by the frame, a door pivotally carried 'by the studs, and arranged. when closed, to overlap the front `part of the frame, and a chute associated with the frame, said door having a pair of i notched extensions adapted to be engaged and disengaged with the studs, when -the door is closed, but which cannot be disengaged therefrom when the door is open.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

FLOYD O. GRAPP. 

